Bradford Pear, Callery Pear
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Rosales, Family: Rosaceae, Genus: Pyrus, Species: P. calleryana · Rosaceae (Rose family) · Simple, deciduous
Species
Pyrus calleryana
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Family
Rosaceae (Rose family)
Shape
Ovate to broadly ovate with a rounded or slightly cordate base and acute tip
Size
Approximately 1 to 1.5 inches long in the pressed sample, typical adult leaves range from 1.5 to 3 inches long
Margin
Crenate-serrate with rounded to slightly pointed fine teeth
Arrangement
Alternate
Rarity
Very Common
Color & Pattern
Vibrant autumn coloration displaying a mix of pinkish-red, green, and yellowish hues typical of senescing Pyrus calleryana leaves
Venation Pattern
Pinnate with a prominent central midrib and branching secondary veins
Texture & Surface
Glabrous (smooth), somewhat leathery, with a glossy upper surface
Description
The Callery Pear is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree known for its dense, upright, symmetrical canopy, abundant white spring blooms with a distinct odor, glossy dark green summer foliage, and brilliant red, purple, and orange fall colors
Key Features
Wavy, finely toothed leaf margins, glossy dark green summer leaves, highly glossy texture, smooth wavy petioles, and dense clusters of white flowers in early spring
Habitat
Widely adaptable, frequently found in disturbed areas, old fields, roadsides, and forest edges, tolerating poor soils and urban pollution
Geographic Range
Native to China and Vietnam, widely planted across North America as an ornamental street tree and has become aggressively invasive in many regions
Condition Notes
Pressed and dried autumn leaf in good condition, showing typical senescence color transition from green to pinkish-red
Interesting Facts
Originally introduced to North America by the USDA in the early 20th century to combat fire blight in commercial fruit pears, it became a ubiquitous ornamental before turning into a major invasive pest due to cross-pollination among cultivars
Medicinal & Uses
Primarily used as an ornamental street and landscape tree; wood is occasionally used for small woodworking projects, though the species holds no significant medicinal value
Ecological Role
Provides early spring nectar for generalist pollinators and cover for birds, but its aggressive spread outcompetes native flora and disrupts forest regeneration
Similar Species
Other pear species (Pyrus spp.) and domestic apple leaves (Malus domestica), distinguished by the exceptionally glossy texture and fine crenate-serrate margins of the Callery pear
Foraging Tips
Look along forest edges and suburban woodlots where escaped cultivars form dense thickets; easily identified in autumn by its striking shiny red and purple foliage remaining late into the season
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic; fruits are astringent and unpalatable to humans but eaten by some wildlife